Amazon Flex Driver Nearly Shot by Ice-T — Time for a Blockchain-Based Delivery System?

According to the famous rapper and actor, the reason for the incident stemmed from the fact that the driver wasn’t wearing a uniform. This is because Amazon’s new Flex delivery service allows regular people to contract as drivers. They deliver Amazon goods in their own personal vehicles and are not provided with any uniforms which identify them as delivery drivers.

Lack of Identification

Others have agreed with Ice-T — noting that other app-based transportation and delivery companies provide paraphernalia for their contractors.

I get that, but it's still kind of unsafe? The same way Uber/Lyft drivers have a sign provided for their own cars, something like that should given to you by the company so there aren't any misunderstandings.

— 🌺 Nahla 🌺 (@Tiny_Eclair) May 22, 2019

The simple solution is for Amazon — a multi-billion dollar company — is to provide some sort of t-shirt or car sticker that identifies the driver as a Flex contractor. However, Amazon could also look to the blockchain to provide additional safety and privacy.

Amazon, Flex, and Blockchain Technology

Amazon could integrate blockchain technology into the app drivers currently use to make their deliveries. It could also be accessible via Amazon’s other apps and websites. The driver and recipient could engage in direct peer-to-peer (p2p) communications to coordinate delivery times. Once the recipient has confirmed a time, this confirmation would be indelibly recorded on the blockchain. Furthermore, every delivery and time could be similarly recorded.

Message To Amazon: Now that you have regular people making your home deliveries.. Maybe they should wear a Vest with AMAZON DELIVERY on it….. I almost shot a MF creeping up to my crib last night…. Just sayin.

— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) May 21, 2019

Essentially, this would allow the company to maintain an up-to-date record of all interactions between drivers and recipients. This could also provide added legal protection. If Ice-T confirmed delivery time, that would be immutably recorded on the blockchain.   While current technologies could allow similar tracking and communications, they are less secure and private. Furthermore, they lack the benefits of decentralized communications on a direct P2P network. Do you think that Amazon should integrate blockchain technology into its Flex delivery service? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!